a world of café stories

Le Coutume Café, Paris

By KENNY MAH and CK LIM

If you are ever in the 7th arrondissement of Paris and need a break from touristy spots such as the Rodin Museum and Le Bon Marché, look no further than Coutume for a pick-me-up. This spacious place enjoys plenty of natural sunlight, giving it the feel of a Melbourne coffeehouse rather than a gloomy Parisian café.

Opened in 2011 by Frenchman Antoine Netien and his Australian partner Tom Clarke, Coutume isn’t only a café as they also roast their own beans and supply various restaurants, hotels and bars in the city. Regulars don’t only drop by for the specialty coffee; there is also their popular organic menu with plenty of vegetarian and gluten-free options. Brunch here can be a relaxing, detox affair (assuming that’s not an oxymoron).

However what Coutume does best is their coffee. From regular espresso drinks to their signature siphon brews, we sip our cups slowly and joyously. This is in fact the first café we stepped into during our Parisian visit and it is a welcome change from the chilly winds in the streets outside. (For those who need more warmth, Coutume also stocks artisanal beers.)